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Peter Orwick (303) 771-3500, ext. 33, or [email protected]
Judy Malone (303) 771-3500, ext. 35, or [email protected]
Denver, Colo. – Burton Pfliger of Bismarck, N.D.,was elected secretary/treasurer of the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) at the 2011 ASI/National Lamb Feeders Association Convention in Reno, Nev., on Jan. 22.
Pfliger is a third-generation sheep rancher who was born into the business. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Science from North Dakota State University in 1985. Currently, Pfliger and his wife Pattie run approximately 400 ewes, which make up a purebred Hampshire flock, a purebred Suffolk flock and a flock of Rambouillet/Dorset cross commercial ewes. The Hampshire and Suffolk flocks are used to produce range and terminal sires.
Prior to election to secretary/treasurer, Pfliger served as the Region IV representative and is currently chairman of the ASI Wool Council. Pfliger previously served as the chairman of the Production, Education and Research Council, and additionally he served on the Legislative Action Council and the Predator Management Committee. He was elected to four terms as president of the North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers.
In addition, Pfliger served as vice chairman on the executive board of the Ag Coalition in North Dakota, and has served as the chairman of North Dakota State University’s (NDSU) Board of Ag Research, Livestock Granting Committee. He currently serves as the chairman of the Missouri Slope Wool Pool in Bismarck, N.D. Pfliger was nominated to NDSU’s Agriculturist of the Year and was presented the North Dakota Master Sheep Producer award in 2005.
“It is with great excitement and humility that I look forward to serving the ASI and its members going forward,” says Pfliger of his election to the office of secretary/treasurer. “I look forward to being an advocate for the sheep industry as well as agriculture, We are experiencing record markets for all classes of sheep and lambs with wool at a 23-year high. This is all positive and speaks well for our rebuild program. I hope to be more proactive with issues that confront our industry. The industry needs to be out in front of emerging issues and define the debate before we allow the debate to adversely affect and define us. I hope to convey to the consuming public some basic themes that identify animal agriculture as the bearers of the bounty enjoyed by all citizens, as the origins of sustainability and as the stewards and preservationists of the open land.”
Other officers elected to the ASI Executive Board at the convention were Margaret Soulen Hinson of Weiser, Idaho, to the office of president and Clint Krebs of Ione, Ore., to the office of vice president.
ASI is a national trade organization supported by 45 state sheep associations, benefiting the interests of more than 82,000 sheep producers.